The University of Lethbridge (through the office of the Chief Information Officer) hosted an information-sharing round table discussion recently with the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) of B.C., representatives of Red Crow College, and the Information & Communications Technology Council.

"Part of our focus," says CIO Clark Ferguson, "was to support our First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) program by bringing Alberta and B.C. information technology leaders together in an effort to identify strengths and to support each other."

Ferguson adds that by partnering on initiatives, participants can become more effective and introduce more programs and new services to First Nations groups in our area. The meeting was the first of a series of planned get-togethers to further that goal.

"We hope that Alberta's First Nations groups will participate in FNTC's First Nations Summit next spring where they will be exposed to potentially hundreds of colleagues," says Ferguson. "A broader network of contacts will support their objective of improving educational services in local communities."

The group met on campus for a morning session, then took tours of Red Crow College and Kainai High School in the afternoon.

"With each step through the institutions, our group's commitment to supporting the community through dialogue and action was strengthened," says Ferguson.

For further information on this meeting, or to participate in future sessions, contact Ferguson at 403-332-4109 or via e-mail at clark.ferguson@uleth.ca.